Three Quick and Easy Decorating Ideas for Christmas Cupcakes

Christmas is just around the corner and if you plan to be the cupcake queen (or king), you are probably scouring the internet for fabulous decorating ideas. We all know taste is important, but designer decorating is what will really leave the best impression. If you are looking to make your mark at the PTA bakesale, wow your sister-in-law with your mad baking and decorating skills, or just spread some winter cheer. Here are three quick and easy ideas for decorating your holiday cupcakes.

RIBBONS AND BOWS. Who says a cupcake has to be boring? For a simple cupcake that attracts attention, use frosting to adorn your sweet treat with ribbons. Just ice the tops in any color (white gives you a nice clean base for your bow, but if you are a little shaky on your ribbon making, a darker color will hide the flaws), and use a bold, contrasting color to draw your bow on. Purple and red make good ribbons. You can use any tip you want to vary the effect, or if you have the skills you can simply ice your ribbons on with a spoon or butter knife. But if you are in a hurry, pick up a can of Pillsbury EZ Frost (www.pillsburybaking.com) which is between three and four dollars at most grocery stores. It comes in a variety of colors and flavors and has a nice star tip. It is also good for decorating with children. If you are presenting someone with a plate of cupcakes, arrange them on a square plate, placing the cupcakes close together, so that the base makes up a nice (sort of) flat surface. Then make one nice thick ribbon of icing that extends horizontally and one vertically over the cupcakes. The effect should be that of a wrapped package. For a little glamour, clear sprinkles will

ODDLY ICED. By the end of the holiday season, my heart is usually burning, and not because it is full of love. If the sickly sweet effect of too much icing gets you down, too, try sticky but satisfying alternatives to icing. Peanut butter, Nutella, and marshmallow cream are good candidates. Start with a thin layer and gradually add more, because too much of these tasty treats can get messy. Aesthetically, white cupcakes work best with the odd add-ons. A few words to the wise, do no use any savory spreads, do not add sprinkles, and if your friends already think you are a little half-baked, do not share your alternative icing.

ACCESSORIES. If you are a cupcake fashionista, do not want to spend all day up to your elbows in icing, or you want to make your cupcake competitiors children jealous of your treats, try accessorizing your cupcakes. You can find all kinds of ideas just by browsing your local bakery. Oriental Trading carries an extensive (and fun) line of cupcake accessories like cupcake boxes, Christmas cupcake picks, cool cupcake stands, cupcake stencils, and cupcake feet (I kid you not). Check out their website at www.orientaltrading.com. If you are not feeling that exotic, or are not planning ahead, Brach's candies are always a good standby accessory. Browse Farley's & Sather's Candy Company website www.farleysandsathers.com for ideas. The Christmas Nougats are cute, and the Sprinkles and Star Brites make good decorations. With all this accessorizing, the possibilities are endless, just use a fun color for a base (if you plan to frost . . .which is optional) and create some crazy Christmas cupcakes.

Whether you decide to wrap them up, mix them up, or glam them out, enjoy making your cupcakes the best on the block. Have a great cupcake baking season, and a safe and Merry Christmas!